Best TVs in Canada 2023: For a Premium Home Theatre Experience

TVs are a staple in many Canadian homes, remaining an easy form of entertainment to whittle away long hours in winter months or help you wind down after a long day. Unfortunately, choosing the perfect TV isn’t always a simple task. Instead, this task often requires careful consideration and evaluation to ensure you select the perfect pick for your home.

We understand how tricky it can be to pick a good TV that will serve as a hub of entertainment to remain captivated as you watch your favourite games or laugh with the characters of your favourite show. So, to help you select the best fit, we committed to the long haul, devoting hours upon hours to extensive research.

We’re experts in all things home-related, from the best blenders to whip up your favourite smoothies to the most highly-rated heat pumps to battle the cold of Canadian winters. We approach each category with an elevated level of understanding developed through extensive experience and research.

It starts with an initial search for highly-rated products. Once we collect a few dozen options, we begin narrowing our list through several rounds of meticulous evaluation. We combine the results of our research to narrow the list even further, plucking out the best models and leaving the sub-par options behind.

Our rigorous process ensures we suggest nothing but the best-in-class products, eliminating the need for extensive research on your part.

As we combed through dozens of TVs in Canada, we were on the lookout for a few primary factors, including the following:

• Sizing: Different layouts and space sizes call for varying TV sizes. A small TV could get lost perched atop a massive wall, whereas a sprawling TV could dwarf a compact space. We looked for models available in multiple sizes to ensure there is something to accommodate varying spaces.
• Integration: The highest-rated smart TVs offer excellent integrated features, such as ultra-convenient compatibility with smart home devices for effortless voice control. While these features aren’t a must-have for everyone, we tossed in a few highly-rated models that exceeded our integration expectations.
• Resolution: The best TVs provide beautiful, crisp, clear imaging to elevate the viewer’s experience. After all, who wants to try to decipher what is going on as you try to watch your favourite show on a blurry screen? Not us! So, to ensure you get the best viewing experience, we looked for models that offer equally impressive resolutions.
• Apps: Entertainment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some folks prefer watching sports games that keep them on the edges of their seats, while others prefer riveting shows that tug at their heartstrings. Whatever your preferences might be, it’s important your TV supports them. We looked for models that support an array of streaming platforms to ensure there’s something for everyone.

Understanding TV Terms

As you shop for a new TV, you might encounter a few unfamiliar terms. Here are a few terms to know as you sift through your options:

• HDR: High dynamic range, or the technologies the manufacturer uses to expand the device’s brightness range and colour accuracy.
• Refresh rate: The number of times the TV screen shows an image each second. Higher refresh rates generally translate to smoother graphics and more natural motion.
• Bezel: The border around the screen of the TV.
• Pixel: A picture element or the smallest portion in a digital image. The more pixels, the higher the resolution.
• Resolution: The number of pixels the screen can display. Higher resolutions feature more pixels.
• LED: Light-emitting diode, or semiconductor diode that illuminates as the electric current passes through.
• LCD: A liquid crystal display or a flat-panel display consisting of pixels full of liquid crystals. LED TVs are LCD models featuring LED lights for illumination.
• OLED: An organic light-emitting diode or self-illuminating pixels that do not require backlight.
• HDMI: High-definition multimedia interface, or a technology designed to transmit high-def video and audio signals via a cable.
• ALLM: Auto low latency mode, or a feature common in TVs designed for gaming. This allows the TV to switch to the game mode when it detects gameplay automatically.

Factors to Look For in a TV in Canada

Buying a TV requires careful consideration, as hundreds of models are available, each offering varying feature packages. Some offer smart capabilities and feature sprawling screens, while others provide the basics with more modest screen sizes. To ensure you purchase the perfect option for your home, we compiled a list of factors to look for, including the following.

Size

The size of your TV is one of the most important considerations when buying a new model. You’ll want something that fits your space without dominating it or getting lost in its surroundings. So, to ensure you purchase a model that matches the room, measure the area where you want to place the TV.

If you’re having trouble envisioning how large a particular model will be in the space, use a piece of cardboard or painter’s tape to create the TV’s shape. If the TV will sit on a mantle or stand, cut a piece of cardboard to size and set it atop the designated place.

Alternatively, if you plan to mount the TV on the wall, use painter’s tape to outline where the new model will go. Both methods will give you a better idea of how that particular size will fit in the space. If it seems overly large or a bit too small, play around with different size options until you find something that matches the space.

Certain TV brands offer augmented reality apps to help you envision how the TV will look in your space. If the tape or cardboard idea isn’t working for you or you don’t have any on hand, consider downloading one of these apps. You can find them from brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony, but Amazon and Best Buy provide the same services in each respective app.

Remember, larger TVs tend to be pricier, so they might not be the best fit if you’re on a budget. Keep this in mind, especially if you’re on a budget.

Generally, TVs that measure under 65 inches diagonally are more affordable. Anything over 65 inches is considerably pricier, and models that measure over 80 inches err on the luxurious end of the market.

Resolution

A blurry or pixelated view is enough to put a damper on your favourite shows, movies, and games. So, as you shop for your next TV, keep an eye out for the resolution. Most TVs on the market today come in three resolution options: 1080p, 4K, and 8K.

1080p offers baseline resolution; while it isn’t terrible, 4K is better. 4K resolution used to be the gold standard but has since been usurped by 8K resolution models. However, while 8K models currently provide the best experience, there isn’t much content available with high enough resolutions to notice a significant difference in visual quality between it and 4K resolution.

On top of that, 4K models are more affordable than they once were, as 8K models stole the spotlight as the highest-end options available. So, we recommend going middle of the road with a 4K model. It offers high resolution at a more affordable price, making it an excellent option for Canadians seeking a new TV.

HDR

As you sift through your options, watch for models that come with HDR support. High dynamic range technology, or HDR, is a picture-improving technology. It elevates the level of detail in your favourite shows, movies, and games, improving the darkest and lightest parts of the image to better the range of colours.

HDR support can take on various formats, each varying slightly based on the model you choose. You might find HDR10 or HDR10+, among others, but the actual differences between the formats are minimal. So, as long as the device offers HDR support, you’re good to go.

Apps

Many smart TVs available today offer a myriad of apps to keep you entertained. As you hunt for your next TV, consider the types of apps you use most. If you prefer Amazon’s Prime Video, look for a model that supports that. Or, maybe you enjoy Hulu or Netflix, so you shop for one that supports those apps.

Not all TVs support every streaming platform, so selecting one that offers the platforms you prefer or have subscriptions with is important. When you purchase the TV, it will usually have a handful of apps preinstalled, but you may have to download the ones you want.

Before purchasing your TV, check the list of preinstalled and compatible apps to ensure your favourite streaming platforms make the cut. Alternatively, consider an additional device to supplement apps, such as a Roku stick.

Integrations

TVs have come a long way since their humble beginnings. Today, you can find all sorts of fancy features in these devices, including integration capabilities. For example, some smart TVs are compatible with smart home devices like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

If you have a smart home device or enjoy the perks of these devices, consider investing in a smart TV that is compatible with these devices. This way, you can control your TV through your smart home devices with a simple voice command. Now that’s convenient!